Strength

Things God Never Says #4

“In many instances I have felt the power of God transforming the fatigue of despair into the buoyancy of hope.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sometimes life is tiring! Especially if we’ve been working overtime or have made too many commitments or are worried about something beyond our control. That’s when we want to say (whether we can actually do it or not): “I think I’ll take a nap and let the world go on without me for a while!”

Aren’t you glad God never says “I think I’ll take a nap”? We are told that the God of the Bible “will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4b). He’s always awake, always “on duty”, never tired. How is his constant vigilance helpful to us? Lots of ways:

He is always there to protect us and watch over our steps. In fact in the same Psalm cited above, the writer says, “He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” It comforts us to know the almighty God is caring for us and watching out for us 24/7.

He is always there, too, to hear our prayers. He doesn’t keep office hours. Whenever we want to talk to him, to praise him, to ask for his help, he is there and he is listening. He’s wide awake and ready to answer our call.

And, finally, his alertness reminds us of his amazing strength and that he’s willing to use it for our benefit. He never feels fatigued or weak. He is all power, all the time. And our link to that celestial energy is prayer. Connecting to the power of God will give us strength, too, to do what we must do. With joy. With hope.

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” – 1 Chronicles 16:11

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Tired?

“I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” – Jeremiah 31:25

My friend told me that when she was a new believer, she had a hunger for God’s Word and studied it daily. One day, after all four kids were off to school and her husband to the office, she opened her Bible and couldn’t focus. She decided to pray instead, asking God for direction. She heard his instruction as clearly as if he was speaking out loud: “Take a nap.”

So she did. Twenty minutes later, she awoke refreshed and then was able to read her Bible with focus and understanding.

Sometimes we expect too much of ourselves, forgetting that we live with fleshly bodies and active minds that get tired. They require rest, refreshment, and renewal. Even Jesus, when living on earth, needed to get away at time to rest and pray.

What is your deepest need today? Is it for an answer to prayer? Keep praying, but rest awhile, too. Is it energy for a new responsibility? Take it on only if you sense God’s clear direction to do so. Don’t over busy yourself outside of his perfect will for you. You may be accepting a role he has already assigned to someone else, and your jumping in would get in the way of his will for their lives.

There are days when our deepest need may be for rest – for our bodies and our souls. When you sense that is true, remember Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

“Rest time is not wasted time. It is economy to gather fresh strength… It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less.” – Charles Spurgeon